Binding for perforated leaves made up of a singleplastic piece

ABSTRACT

A binding for perforated leaves, including a base portion and shutters, opening rings for the perforated leaves formed of a resilient one-piece plastic construction, and reciprocable locking means positioned between the base and shutters and adapted to be actuated for controlled release of the leaves.

United States Patent [191 Cott {451 Apr. 17, 1973 [5 BINDING FORPERFORATED LEAVES [56] References Cited MADE UP OF A SINGLEPLASTICUNITED STATES PATENTS PIECE 3,183,913 5/1965 Frodermann ..402/3l [75]Inventor: Gemges Emanuel Enghlenles' 3,612,709 6/1969 Miyamoto ..402/64Bains, France [73] Assignee: Reliure Industrielle S.T.D., Ar- FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS gentheuil, France 1,576,584 6/1969 France..402/33 [22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1970 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell [211 App! 90411 Assistant Examiner.l. H. Wolff Attorney-Waters, Roditi,Schwartz & Nissen [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 18, 1970France ..6939668 [57] ABSTRACT A binding for perforated leaves,including a base por- U-S. l tion and hutters opening rings for theperforated [51] Int. Cl. ..B42f 3/04 leaves f d f a ili one-pieceplastic construc- [58] FteldofSearch ..402/2123,3l33,6169

tion, and reciprocable locking means positioned between the base andshutters and adapted to be actuated for controlled release of theleaves.

9 Claims, 33 Drawing Figures PATEHTED APR 1 71375 SHEET 2 or a BINDINGFOR PERFORATED LEAVES MADE UP OF A SINGLEPLASTIC PIECE An object of theinvention is to provide a binding system which eliminates thesedisadvantages.

In the present state of known technique, similar bindings have alreadybeen put forward, but comprised of at least two pieces, the second partbeing used to lock the binding in the closed position; this second partinvolves an addition to the cost-price and the assembly, and its lossrenders the binding useless.

A further object of the invention is to provide a binding system whicheliminates these disadvantages, as well.

In the present state of known technique, again similar bindings havealready been put forward, but with a fairly complicated structure,comprising a plurality of parts difficult to obtain and thereforeburdensome and not very reliable.

The invention seeks the elimination of these and disadvantages also.

Consequently, the invention contemplates a binding with opening ringsfor perforated leaves, which is made of plastic and in a single piece,and which is achieved by moulding or by injection, and which comprisesno other part or mechanism.

In short, the binding according to the invention is made up of a singleplastic part forming side by side, parallel with the length of thebinding, a base and two shutters, each in the form of an elongatedrectangle, the base being one, by means of a thinned down part formingthe hinge, with a median shutter provided with a set of half-rings anditself integral, by means of another thinned down part forming the hingewith a lateral shutter provided with the other set of half-rings; in theclosed position of the binding, the two shutters are side by side abovethe base and the half-rings are in contact with each other two by two,with, in this closed position of the binding, reciprocal locking betweenthe lateral shutter and the base; the opening of the binding is obtainedby a controlled release of the said lock.

It will be noted that this structure according to the invention providestwo important advantages; in the open position of the binding, the twohinges allow the shutters to be opened wide between themselves andbetween them and the base, readily freeing these parts of the singlepiece from each other, which allows it to be obtained by moulding andinjection and which allows the base to be fastened by rivet or eyelet tothe spine of a cover.

Moreover, in this open position of the binding, the two thinned downparts forming the hinges only develop weak or insignificant elasticpull; so the user can choose, as he pleases the degree of opening of therings according to his desires of the moment, and the binding remainsopen like this without the need to hold it in position. I

More precisely the binding according to the invention is made up of asingle plastic piece, comprising, according to the same cross-sectionrespected throughout almost the whole length ofthe binding, a baseprovided, on one side and over at least a fraction of the said length,with a locking section with above an oblique facet wider at the bottomand provided, on the other side, with a projecting flange on the top ofthe base, this flange being limited, over the said length, by alongitudinal groove open towards the bottom and providing, over at leasta fraction of the said length, a thin part, by means of which the flangeis in one piece with a median shutter, returning back above the base inthe closed position of the binding, bearing a set of half rings on itsface opposite the base, limited, on the side opposite the said flange,by a longitudinal groove open towards the top and providing, over atleast a fraction of the said length, a thin part by means of which themedian shutter is integral with the lateral shutter, extending themedian shutter above the base in the closed position of the binding,bearing the other set of halfrings on its face opposite the base,provided on its long free side with a flap bearing, over at least afraction of the said length, a counter locking section, cooperating inthe closed position of the binding with the said locking section of thebase, with below an oblique facet narrower at the base cooperating withthe said oblique facet of the base during the closing movement of thebinding, the said base and the said lateral shutter being extended, overat least a short length of the binding outside the said cross-section,and the said lateral shutter forming a handling lever returningcrosswise above the said base.

Thus, in order to close the binding, it suffices to press on the top ofthe shutters: the two oblique facets sliding one over the other whilemoving the flap of the lateral shutter, which they guide, away from hebase, then the locking section and counter section ensure the closedposition. In order to open the binding it suffices to press on thehandling lever or levers; they rock and made the lateral shutter rock,which unlocks it and then lifts it Preferably, the binding according tothe invention comprises two handling levers, that is to say one at eachend of the binding, this although the action of a single one of theselevers suffices to bring about the opening of the binding.

It is obvious to the technical man that, without departing from theframework of the invention, the binding may comprise a number other thantwo of handling levers, for example a single lever, placed for exampleat one end of the binding, or placed for example towards its centre orstill for example to the right of the said lock.

The said lock is the closed position of the binding according to theinvention may be made up of a counter section in the form of a lip, forexample provided on the said flap of the lateral shutter engaging underthe projection of a section, provided on he base for example, or by agroove and lug, or by oblique, rectilinear or curvilinear sides; thesesections, as already stated, may exist along the whole length of thelateral shutter or along parts of this length, or yet again only overthe length of the handling lever or levers. Preferably, in the case ofthe two handling levers (one at each end of the binding) these sectionand counter-sections exist at each end of the binding, over a lengthclearly greater than that of the handling lever, for example one-eighthto one-third of the total length of the binding; the base, over theintermediate length, instead of the said section, may form the releaseor guide or wedge according to questions of choice or expediency.

Methods of putting the invention into effect will be described withreference to the following figures by way of non-restrictive examples:

FIG. 1 is a general lateral view of a binding in the closed position(but without perforated leaves for the clarity of the drawing);

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, FIG. 3 and end view, and FIG. 4 a partialplan view, of the same binding in the closed position; 7

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line VV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective, detailing both FIG. 1 and FIG. 5:

FIG. 7, similar to FIG. 6, shows the same binding during its openingmovement;

- FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 6 shows the complete opening of the samebinding, and FIG. 9 is respectively similar to FIG. 5;

FIG. 10, similar to FIG. 5, shows the binding in the wide open position,for example for its moulding or for riveting in its cover;

FIG. 1 1 is a detail on a larger scale of FIG. 5, showing thecooperation of the two oblique facets at the closing of the binding;

FIG. 12 is a sectional detail on a larger scale taken on line XII--XIIof FIG. 2;

FIG. 13, similar to FIG. 6, shows a projection of reduced length;

FIG. 14, similar to FIG. 11, shows another form of locking of thebinding in the closed position;

FIG. 15, similar to FIG. 11, shows an improvement involving aclosing-stop for the binding;

FIG. 16, similar to FIG. 5, shows an embodiment of reduced thickness;

FIG. 17, similar to FIG. 12, shows another embodiment of the handlinglever:

FIGS. 18 and 19, similar to FIG. 12 show, respectively in the closedposition of the binding and during its opening, another embodiment ofthe handling lever of the locking of the binding in the closed position;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of one embodiment of the binding according to theinvention;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the base of the binding according to FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a section taken in FIG. 20 along line XXII-XXII, that is tosay to the right of the handling lever;

FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 22 but in the open position of the binding;

FIG. 24 shows one phase of the opening movement of the binding accordingto FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 shows one phase of the closing movement of the binding accordingto FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a section taken in FIG. 20 along line XXVIXXVI, that is tosay to the right of the outside ring;

FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 26 but in the open position of the binding;

FIG. 28 is a section taken in FIG. 20 along line XX- VIII-XXVIII, thatis to say between two rings;

FIG. 29 is similar to FIG. 28 but in the open position of the binding;

FIG. 30 is a section taken in FIG. 20 along line XXXXXX, that is to sayto the right of the inside ring:

FIG. 31 is similar to FIG. 30 but in the open position of the binding;

FIG. 32 is a section taken in FIG. 20 along line XXXII-XXXII, that is tosay between two inside rings;

FIG. 33 is similar to FIG. 32 but in the open position of the binding.

With particular reference to FIG. 1 therein is shown a binding accordingto the invention executed as a single piece of plastic material whosecross-section (FIG. 5) is the same over almost the whole length of thebinding (the different parts being described further on); this singlepiece comprises a base which is flat and rectangular and forms the backof the binding which is mounted in the spine of the cover (if there is acover); the base 1 is provided, on one of its two long sides, 2 having aflange with a flat face facing downwards, and an oblique facet 3 whichnarrows upwardly (flange 2 and facet 3 are clearly seen on the detailaccording to FIG. 11); the base 1 is provided, on the other ofits longsides, with a raised edge 4, projecting from the base, limited by alongitudinal groove 5 opening from the base side and leaving on theopposite side, and over at least a part of its length, a thin part 6(FIGS. 5 and 6); this thin part 6, common to the base 1 and a medianshutter 7, forms a hinge between these two parts of the single piece(its role will be described further on in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10in particular); the median shutter 7 bears, on the side opposite to thebase 1, a set of half-rings, each half-ring terminating in a wedge 9engageable in the opposite half-ring, and it is limited by anotherlongitudinal groove 11 opening from the side opposite to the base andleaving on the base side, and over at least a part of its length,another thin part 12 (FIGS. 5 and.6); this thin part 12 forms a hinge aswell between the median shutter 7 and a lateral shutter 13, which bears,on the side opposite to the base, the other set of half-rings 14; thelateral shutter 13 is provided, on its long free side, with a flap 15,turned downwards, and forming a lip 16 turned towards the base 1, withan oblique facet 17 at the bottom, narrower at the bottom (clearly seenon the detail of FIG. 11).

In this embodiment of the binding, the median shutter 7 and the lip 15of the lateral shutter 13 (FIG. 1 and 2) are a little shorter than thebase 1: above each of the two ends of base 1, the lateral shutter 13 isextended by a transverse handling lever 18 (detail according to FIG.12); the upper face of the lever 18 is preferably scored or milled atits end 19 so as to facilitate, and even to suggest, its movement by theuser (as described further on) and the lower face 21 of the lever 18 ismachined (FIG. 12) in order to form a cam supported on the base 1 duringthe opening movement (described further on). I

The working of this embodiment of the binding according to the inventionwill now be described.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 (and in particular to FIG. 5): in theclosed position of the binding, on the one hand, lip 16 of the lateralshutter 13 is engaged and maintained under the flange 2 of base 1, onthe other hand the half-rings 8 and the half-rings 14 are in contactwith each other two by two: because of a suitable sizing of thedifferent parts of the single piece and according to questions of choiceor convenience, the locking in the closed position which has just beendescribed may be achieved with very little or no force (which widens thefield of plastic materials which can be used and which do not have toresist the said force), or on the contrary with an appreciable elasticlocking (which allows the use of plastic materials forming elasticrings). In this latter case, the elastic stress is supplied in so far asconcerns the shutters 7 and 13 on one hand by the elasticity of thehalf-rings 8 and 14, and on the other, to a lesser degree, by theelasticity of the flange 4 of base 1 and of the flap of the lateralshutter 13. More precisely, the half-rings 8 exert a force F1 (FIG. 5)on the half-rings 14, and the flange 2 of base 1 exerts on lip 16 of theflap 15 a force F2; these two forces F1 and F2 which are in the samedirection have for resultant a force F3 on the lateral shutter 13 to theright of the hinge 12 between the shutters; symmetrically, force F'l(equal and opposite to F1) on the half-rings 8, and force F2 (equal andopposite to F2) on base 1, have as resultant a force F3 on the medianshutter 7 to the right of its hinge 6; and the forces F3 and F'3 canceleach other out by elastically locking the various parts of the singlepiece. It will be noted that the thin parts 6 and 12, being made ofplastic, form hinges as already stated, to rotate the shutters aroundthem, but form on the other hand connections which well resist stressesperpendicular to them.

To open the binding, the user exerts a force F5 (FIG. 12) on the scoredpart 19 of the lever 18; the lower section 21 pivoting on base 1, theresult is a rotation R of lever 18, and of the shutter 13, which isintegral with it, around the hinge 12, this being made possible by theelasticity of the half-rings 8 and 14 which are made of plastic: the lip16 of shutter 13 is thus released from the flange 2 of base 1 (FIG. 7)and the two shutters, now freed, open and likewise the half-rings open(FIG. 8). It will be noted, as already stated, because of the weaknessof the elasticity of hinges 6 and 12, this open position is maintainedby itself, in any case without requiring an effort to maintain it inposition by the user, who can devote his attention to the manipulationof the perforated leaves.

The binding (FIGS. 8 and 9) opened for adding or removing perforatedleaves may be opened still further, for example as shown in FIG. 10,where the base 1 is easily accessible: on the one hand this facilitatesthe making of the binding by moulding or injection and on the other handfacilitates its mounting by a rivet or eyelet 22 in a cover when such amounting is required. This wide-open position is also maintained byitself or without demanding an effort by the user to maintain theposition.

To close the binding, it suffices to lower the shutters towards the baseor to press on the file of perforated leaves: the oblique facet 17 ofthe flap 15 is presented on the oblique facet 3 of base 1, then slidesover it (FIG. 11), thus guiding the lip 16, which hooks elasticallyunder the flange 2 of base 1.

As already pointed out, the lip 16 and/or the flange 2 may exist overalmost the whole length of base 1 or only over a part of this length(FIG. 13), or be subdivided into several parts.

The locking of the binding in the closed position may be formed, asdescribed above, by the cooperation of the lip 16 of flap 15 of thelateral shutter 13 with the flange 2 of base 1, or by any otherequivalent system; for example as shown in FIG. 13 this locking may beformed by the cooperation of a lug 24 of flap 15 with a groove 25 ofbase 1 (or yet again ofa groove of the flap with a lug ofthe base).

The binding according to the invention may be limited in its openingmovement in a very simple way, by a stop 27 shown in FIG. 15, whichprevents the binding from being closed more than recessary beyond thehooking of the lock. The same result is obtained, by reducing, even byalmost eliminating altogether, the free height between the top of base 1and the bottom of shutters 7 and 13.

As already pointed out, instead of the two control levers which havejust been described, the binding may comprise a different number ofthem, for example a single lever 18, placed at one end or towards thecenter, or to the right of the lock or locks.

The handling lever 18 may be positioned in an appreciably differentmanner; for example, as shown in FIG. 17, it may be provided with aright-angled return piece bearing on side 32 of base 1 and its scoredpart 19 may with advantage be made noticeably oblique: thus the user isguided to exert an oblique force F6, which facilitates the release ofthe lock along arrow S.

In short, the invention provides for the said locking of the binding inthe closed position .by the lever itself: lip 16, with the oblique facet17, is then placed on the inside face of the right-angled return piece31 of lever 18, and flange 2, with the oblique facet 3, is then placedon side 32 of base 1; here also they may be replaced by a lock with lugand groove (as shown in FIG. 14). The invention provides for stillanother arrangement; as FIG. 18 shows, the right-angled return piece 31of lever 18 is provided on the inner side with an oblique face 33 belowwhich is an oblique facet 34 and base 1 is provided on its side with anoblique facet 35 below which is an oblique face 36; the two obliquefaces 33 and 36 may be rectilinear or curvilinear. In the closedposition they ensure by their cooperation the locking of the binding;for opening (FIG. 19), the said oblique force F6 of the user makes themslide one over the other with the pivoting of lever 18 (arrow S); forclosing, the two oblique facets 34 and 35 slide one over the otherguiding the relative movement of the lateral shutter in relation to thebase.

There will now be described, referring to FIGS. 20 and 33, a preferredembodiment of the invention, which is a particular combination, witharrangements, of certain of the arrangements already described. Withreference to FIG. 20, which is a plan view of the closed binding, thisbinding is composed as a single piece of plastic material whosecross-section (FIGS. 22 and following) is appreciably the same over thewhole length of the binding; this single piece comprises a flatrectangular base 1 serving as a support for the handling lever 18; base1 forms the back of the binding, and it is fixed to the back of thecover, for example by using pierced holes 42 (FIG. 21) to receiveeyelets; the base 1 is provided over about one-sixth from the end of oneof its long sides, with a flange 2 having a flat face facing downwards,and with an oblique facet 3 which narrows upwardly (FIGS. 22 and 26);after an empty space (FIG. 28), the same edge of base 1 is provided, inthe central part, with a guiding projection 43 (FIGS. 21 and 30-32);base 1 is provided, on the other of its two long sides with an edge 4projecting from the base 1, limited by a longitudinal groove 5 openingfrom the base side, complete between and far from he rings (FIGS. 28 and32), incomplete and leaving a thin part 6 here and there to the right ofthe rings (FIGS. 22, 26, 30); this thin part 6, common to the base 1 andthe median shutter 7, forms a hinge between these two parts, as alreadydescribed, but the reduction in its length in the present embodimentreduces its rigidity and strength, the same arrangement being made atthe other side of the median shutter, with the other thin part 12; inshort, corresponding to the partial flange 2 of base 1, on flap 15 ofthe lateral shutter 13, is a lip 16 and an oblique facet l7 limited inlength. At each end of the binding, the handling lever 18, integral withflap l and the lateral shutter 13 bears a nipple 44 on part 21 of thebase 1 (FIG. 22); thus, in the opening movement, from he closed position(FIG. 22) to the open position (FIG. 23) the nipple, under the action offorce Fl 1 exerted on lever 18, pivots and moves while releasing flap ofthe flange 2 (FIG. 24); conversely, in the closing movement (FIG. 25)the oblique facets 3 and I7 slide one over the other under the action offorce F12 exerted on the top of the binding, and guide the flap I5 andthe shutters.

What I claim is:

1. A binding for perforated leaves comprising a body constituted as asingle piece of plastic material including elongated base havingopposite longitudinal edges, a first shutter hingeably connected to thebase at one of the edges thereof, a second shutter hingeably connectedto the first shutter, the hingeable connections between the base andfirst shutter and between the first and second shutters being providedby reduction of material thickness to form hinges there along, rings forperforated leaves constituted as individual half-rings on each of saidshutters facing one another, said second shutter having a free edgeproximate the other of said edges of the base, locking means on saidfree edge of the shutter and on said other edge of the base for lockingthe same together in a closed position of the binding, said half ringsbeing positioned on the shutters for engageably closing in the closedposition of the binding, and actuator means coupled to said secondshutter in extending cantilever fashion for pivotably moving the secondshutter with respect to the first shutter about the hinge connectiontherebetween to selectively release the locking means and then enablethe first shutter to pivotably move with respect to he base about thehinge connection therebetween and provide an open position for thebinding in which the half rings are separated from one another.

2. A binding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprisesa projection on said free edge of the second shutter for engaging atleast a portion of the other edge of the base in locked position.

3. A binding as claimed in claim 2 wherein said locking means furthercomprises a tapering projection on said other edge of the base engagedwith the projection on the shutter in the locked position.

4. A binding as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of saidprojections includes a lip for engaging the other projection.

5. A binding as claimed in claim 3 wherein said projections have oppsoedoblique faces.

6. A binding as claimed in claim 3 comprising means on said other edgeof the base for engaging the locking means on the second shutter toguide the latter when it is bein brought to lockin position.

7. A tnding as claime in claim 3 comprising means on said means facingsaid base to engage the same and permit the means to unlock the lockingmeans.

8. A binding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base includes at saidone edge thereof an upright projection to which said first shutter isconnected, said upright projection having an upper inner edge at which alongitudinal groove is provided to form the reduction of material andthe hinge connection between the base and first shutter.

9. A binding as claimed in claim 8 wherein a longitudinal groove isprovided between the first and second shutters in the upper surfacethereof to form the reduction material and the hinge connection betweenthe shutters.

1. A binding for perforated leaves comprising a body constituted as asingle piece of plastic material including elongated base havingopposite longitudinal edges, a first shutter hingeably connected to thebase at one of the edges thereof, a second shutter hingeably connectedto the first shutter, the hingeable connections between the base andfirst shutter and between the first and second shutters being providedby reduction of material thickness to form hinges there along, rings forperforated leaves constituted as individual half-rings on each of saidshutters facing one another, said second shutter having a free edgeproximate the other of said edges of the base, locking means on saidfree edge of the shutter and on said other edge of the base for lockingthe same together in a closed position of the binding, said half ringsbeing positioned on the shutters for engageably closing in the closedposition of the binding, and actuator means coupled to said secondshutter in extending cantilever fashion for pivotably moving the secondshutter with respect to the first shutter about the hinge connectiontherebetween to selectively release the locking means and then enablethe first shutter to pivotably move with respect to he base about thehinge connection therebetween and provide an open position for thebinding in which the half rings are separated from one another.
 2. Abinding as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises aprojection on said free edge of the second shutter for engaging at leasta portion of the other edge of the base in locked position.
 3. A bindingas claimed in claim 2 wherein said locking means further comprises atapering projection on said other edge of the base engaged with theprojection on the shutter in the locked position.
 4. A binding asclaimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said projections includes alip for engaging the other projection.
 5. A binding as claimed in claim3 wherein said projections have oppsoed oblique faces.
 6. A binding asclaimed in claim 3 comprising means on said other edge of the base forengaging the locking means on the second shutter to guide the latterwhen it is being brought to locking position.
 7. A binding as claimed inclaim 3 comprising means on said means facing said base to engage thesame and permit the means to unlock the locking means.
 8. A binding asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said base includes at said one edge thereofan upright projection to which said first shutter is connected, saidupright projection having an upper inner edge at which a longitudinalgroove is provided to form the reduction of material and the hingeconnection between the base and first shutter.
 9. A binding as claimedin claim 8 wherein a longitudinal groove is provided between the firstand second shutters in the upper surface thereof to form the reductionmaterial and the hinge connection between the shutters.